TWIC Card deadline...

[Bill NH]

Just a heads up for those holding Coast Guard licenses...

All license holders are REQUIRED to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card) by Sept 25th.  The regulations state that failure to obtain a TWIC card may be sufficient grounds for suspension or revocation of a mariner's license.  They are serious about this.

For more info on the TWIC cards see http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm

The processing is pretty backlogged so be sure to allow plenty of time (weeks, not hours)...

[s/v Faith]

Thanks Bill,

  I remember hearing about this a few months ago and thinking that they would figure out that only those who needed access would require the badge......  Sadly it does not seem like they have come to that conclusion....

  So, another set of fingerprints, and $132 bucks for an ID card.... 

Just in case anyone still does not think this applies to us, this is from the USCG.Mil site;

January 30, 2008
MERCHANT MARINER’S AND THE TRANSPORTATION WORKERS
IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL
As required by law, all credentialed U.S. merchant mariners must obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), prior to September 25, 2008 – this includes all persons holding a
Coast Guard-issued License, Certificate of Registry, Merchant Mariner Document or Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers endorsement. The Coast Guard is currently engaged with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) working out the specific information, provided by applicants to TSA during TWIC enrollment, which would be needed to process an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). We are also attempting to determine the method
by which the information we require will be shared with (or transferred to) us by TSA. We expect to have coordinated these details prior to September 25, 2008, if not sooner.

Until the information-sharing arrangement is worked out, mariners will still  have to be fingerprinted, and have their identity verified at one of the 17 Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers in accordance with 46 CFR Parts 10 and 12 when applying for a Coast Guard mariner credential whether they have or have not applied for a TWIC. It is expected that a future rulemaking will amend this requirement to permit the process of applying for a merchant mariner credential to be conducted entirely
through the mail (or by electronic means, but at any rate without a requirement for an appearance in person at an REC).

For more information on improvements we're making to Mariner Licensing and Documentation go to our web site at http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/wnnmc.htm or to http://homeport.uscg.mil and select Merchant Mariners under the list of Missions.

We thank you for your patience as we continue to centralize operations.
Sincerely,
David C. Stalfort
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard
Please email comments, complaints and suggestions to iasknmc@uscg.mil

[CharlieJ]

Yeah but- the TWIC isn't for those of us who just use their boats- it's for those who carry Coast Guard masters papers of some sort- be it 6 pack, 100 ton, etc, or merchant seamen. Also those who work in critical areas and need to pass gates with ID's such as commercial marine surveyors..

If you aren't a licensed captain, you don't need it. I have several friends who have gotten theirs already.

[AdriftAtSea]

Unfortunately, this is looking like a half-assed implementation of a new ID that isn't really going to improve security at the ports to any real degree, like the new RFID passports.

Just more money being shelled out and no real effective increase or change in security IMHO... and that's what some of my friends who are federal LEOs say as well.

[Shipscarver]

"We thank you for your patience as we continue to centralize operations."
 
Wow! Remember when the Passport procedures changed?  Talk about a processing back up looking at us! 

[CapnK]

I spoke with a friend down in St Aug about this the other day. He was telling me that the talk going around there was that there's no need to rush - due to the opposition and active lobbying effort going against this new law/rule/whatever, it is likely that they will either:

- push the date back, or

- change the Req's so that not every Licensed captain has to have it, or

- outright cancel the policy (I doubt this last will happen, because what bureaucracy will allow itself to be made smaller, especially once it has already grown...)

Just FYI, I don't know how active the "anti's" are or how effective their efforts have been...

IMO, I think it sucks that they are *compelling* people to do this, in order to retain their Captains license.

Who is John Galt?  \sigh/

[Bill NH]

The Coast Guard's connection to the TWIC process is that the TWIC screening is slated to replace that previously done by the CG when one applied for or renewed a license.  That's why all licensed mariners are being required to get TWICs...

The whole TWIC thing has been a battle for a number of years, but the ID card portion of it is definitely happening.  I wouldn't gamble a license on hoping it will go away...

[s/v Faith]

So I am listening to the radio this afternoon... and they say that the TWIC site at the Port of Pensacola will not close today as was originally planned but will remain open until 23 May. 

  Thing about that is that I had searched the TSA's web site it said that  Mobile was the nearest site, with nothing in Pensacola listed!  Well, I just went online and there IS a TWIC office at the Port of Pensacola, but it is only listed under the Port of Pensacola's web site not TSA's. 

  So I go ahead and pre-register.  The process only took about 20 minutes.  The most noteworthy part was the drop down boxes for gender... they listed male.. female... and OTHER!.  no kidding.  :?

  At least I won't have to drive to Mobile to pay my $132 bucks for the ID card I will never use...

[Oldrig]

This card has been discussed on other websites. Some folks say that CG Master's need TWIC, but not operators of uninspected vessels (six-pack skippers).

Also, there was a piece in the NYTimes recently about some marine researchers who were prevented from continuing their science because they didn't have TWIC cards--and they never knew they needed them.

--Joe

[s/v Faith]

This card has been discussed on other websites. Some folks say that CG Master's need TWIC, but not operators of uninspected vessels (six-pack skippers)......

Joe, 

  Yes, I have read some of that too. I have a Masters lisc so I would need it either way... but the TSA FAQ web site says;

Who must get a TWIC?

An estimated one million individuals will be required to obtain a TWIC. This includes Coast Guard-credentialed merchant mariners..... 

  One thing that is not right is that the TSA says that if your lisc was issued after March of 06 you have the option of paying the reduced rate ($27 less) to skip the background check).   When I went and did my application today, I asked about this and was told that was not an option..... 

Also, there was a piece in the NYTimes recently about some marine researchers who were prevented from continuing their science because they didn't have TWIC cards--and they never knew they needed them.

--Joe

  That makes no sense, since the original date for compliance was not until Sept 08 and that has been extended... but then we are talking about someone with TSA who is enforcing this requirement... so anything is possible. 

[s/v Faith]

I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

  After waiting since May, I might finally get my TWIC tomorrow..... 


I have called / visited the Port of Pensacola ever other week since I made that last post....  I got an email from Homeland Security, telling me my card was ready for pickup, but no one seemed to know where. 

  I had an appointment to pick it up week before last, and then THE computer crashed.... apparently they had the entire TWIC database on ONE server and it crashed....

  So, a mere 6 months later I may get my $132 dollar ID card that I will never use for anything...

Oh boy.

[Tim]

Well Congratulations!!!      (at least I hope it will be there )

A Grog for you until the card shows up

[s/v Faith]

A Grog for you until the card shows up

  Thanks man, I am thinking I may need it.

[Zen]

Wow I had mine in about 2 mo.       

[s/v Faith]

Maybeit is just me.

[s/v Faith]

Hey... there IS a trend here.

[Norm]

Thanks for the news.  Somehow, I missed it in time to meet the deadline.  Hope the guys in Boston forgive me.  More regulation.  More fees.  More joy!

Glad I have the rest of this month off to get the TWIC.

[AdriftAtSea]

But Norm, everyone knows the Government is here to help you...

[s/v Faith]

Just an update....

  ...while the computer is apparently back online, they are waiting until NEXT week to issue cards at my center.....

We will see.

[s/v Faith]

Well, I got it.

  I waited almost 3 hours today, to pick it up and have it activated.  Now, 3 hours does not seem like a LONG time and it is not.... except that in that time they only had 3 people in front of me.

  I am glad though, it could have been worse.  All 3 of the people in front of me got to the last stage of activating their card (entering the pin for the last time... to record it on the card).  On the last step, the card refused to activate.  All three of them now have to wait while new cards are made and will have to drive to Mobile to pick them up. 

  Couple things I thought were interesting.  I actually had to agree to this in order to get my card.

I had to agree that if I were committed to a mental health facility against my will that I would contact the Transportation Security Administration within 24 hours and surrender my card.  Now I gotta worry about that.

  Another thing I had to agree to and have to remember is that if I decide to participate in a terrorist activity, I must turn in my TWIC at least 48 hours in advance... (or was it 24 hours...?)

  More stuff to think about.